Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has visited the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency to recognise the courage, skill and dedication of emergency management personnel and to discuss further cooperation on disaster resilience and management.
With over 100 years of mateship, Australia and the United States have a proud history of helping each other in times of need, including when faced with natural disasters.
Madam Vice President
Secretary of State Blinken
Distinguished guests
We meet today at a time when our world faces a set of profound challenges.
Far and wide, we are confronted by threats to peace and tests of the international rules-based order.
And here in United States we can see the weight of global leadership that your nation carries.
I came to Washington this week to continue the work of facing our alliance to the future.
I was saddened to learn of the passing of former Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, H.E. Mr Li Keqiang.
During Mr Li's period in office, significant strides were made in our bilateral relationship including the conclusion of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. When we met last year in the margins of the East Asia Summit, we discussed the importance of these ties and our desire to see them develop further.
On behalf of the Government and the people of Australia, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and to the people of China.
I am saddened by news of the passing of Helena Carr whilst travelling overseas with her husband and life partner Bob. An extraordinary life as a much loved and compassionate person.
Helena was a successful businesswoman who was respected by all who were privileged to know her.
My deepest sympathies to Bob and all who knew and loved Helena. Bob’s beautiful statement speaks to the depths of his grief as well as the strength of their love.
Vale Helena Carr. May she rest in peace.
DAVID SPEERS, HOST: Prime Minister, thanks so much for giving us some time here in Washington.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Wonderful to be here.
SPEERS: You've spent a fair bit of time over the last few days with President Biden, and it seems, pretty much every time he's appeared alongside you, he said something about China, expressing concerns about China or the Indo Pacific, even warning you about trusting China. Why do you think that is?
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: The visit to China symbolises the normalisation, a more stable relationship, I say consistently we should cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest. I'm very much looking forward to the visit to Shanghai and Beijing. Dialogue is always a good idea.
JOURNALIST: How do you balance the expectations from the US with our trade relationship with China.
In our quest to build a better future, one of the things that makes it possible to reach so high is what lies beneath our feet.
And in our continent, nowhere is that truer than in Western Australia.
That’s one of the messages I’ve taken to America this week, where we’ve been following up an important step we took in Japan earlier this year.
In May, Australia and the United States made history when we signed the Compact on Critical Minerals and Clean Energy.
I’m delighted to be here today to help showcase Australian innovation.
And to celebrate the progress that the partnership between Australia and America is delivering for both our countries – and for the wider world.
Whether it’s new defence technology promoting peace and security.
The capacity for quantum and artificial intelligence to boost productivity across our workforce and drive prosperity in our economy.
Medical breakthroughs changing and saving lives.
Or clean, green technology helping the world make the transition to net zero.
Distinguished guests, Your Excellencies.
It is an honour to be here to open what all Australians should consider as a slice of home away from home.
Every one of our embassies is a piece of Australia in another land – but this is no ordinary land.
President Biden once referred to Australia as a great comfort zone for the American people. He spoke of an “easy mateship”.
The feeling is deeply mutual.
My great predecessor Prime Minister Bob Hawke described it as:
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Mr Prime Minister, we've been in close touch since the moment you came into office. And we've met all around the world.
And now, it's wonderful to have you by my side here at the White House.
And as we advance our Alliance even more than has already been advanced. It's strong now. It's getting stronger.
Before I get to the progress Australia and the United States have made today, I want to say just a very few words about the situation in the Middle East.